The Rainbow
It’s been a long time since I saw a rainbow.
But yesterday as we rode on a train, out of the city and into the meadows, there, falling from the clouds and spilling into the yellow grass below, was a beautiful, brilliant rainbow. A stream of red and indigo and green and blue from the sky.
I nudged M, beside me. ‘Look!’ I said pointing at the window. ‘A rainbow.’
M was distracted, lost in thought, anxious about what lay ahead. Would it be good news or bad news?
So much prayer had gone before us, so much prayer for the power of Jesus’ blood to heal her and preserve her body. But the rogue cells may have spread, and the cold fear of it was on her face and in her eyes.
I cuddled up. ‘God is trying to tell us something you know.’
‘Oh yeah?’ she said, smiling away the lines on her face for a just a moment.
‘Yeah!’ I smiled back. ‘He’s sending a sign to reassure us that it’s going to be OK.’
‘A rainbow?’
‘A sign of hope 
.’
***
We waited in the hospital cafe with two hot coffees, too hot to drink. The corridor smelt of disinfectant and illness, and nurses in blue walked hurriedly up and down, up and down. M fidgeted with the Styrofoam cup, I looked at the clock. Ten minutes to go. Ten minutes until we know.
After weeks of waiting with worry, her name was finally called. A tall man with glasses approached our table and we followed him into a little room. A little room where her world might have come crashing down around us. But God had given us hope along the way for good reason.
The news was all good! She was in the clear! The problem cells had been contained and removed and there was no sign of spreading!
Tears of relief and joy spilled down her cheeks. She said later that she felt she had been given back the gift of life.
M is just getting to know about the possibility of God, but that night as we celebrated over dinner, she asked for a few moments to thank God for the gift He had given her that day.
The Bible tells us to that “the Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” Psalm 145:9. You know what I loved most about God’s goodness yesterday? That not only did He show it in a big way, with M’s amazing healing, but that He cares enough to show it in other ways too, to lift our spirits with encouragement, in this case – a rainbow from the sky, a sign of God’s covenant with every living creature, and also a sign of hope.
“The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth” Genesis 9:16.
Very cool.
Aw Birgit, what a sweet story! Thank you for your comments on my blog, too. You surely have the gift of encouragement. God sent you with M for a reason. I pray there are lots of rainbows in your heart as you journey on with Him. XO
What a wonderous testimony to His glory and what a beautiful picture for Him to display it. :)
I needed to hear this story today. My cousin is losing his battle with cancer. A sign of hope.
The Bible tells us to that “the Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” Psalm 145:9
Thank you, Birg. ;)
Well said…..
God is so good! I just love HIM so…and love you too Princess!
Thanks so much to each of you for your really lovely replies, I just love how God reassures us, and am so in awe of His faithfulness as we pray!
***
Michelle, just wanted to say that I will be praying for your cousin, love B
Dear Birgit…your heart and pain are so graciously, transparent, blessings will surely followw your honesty.
I know about desert times and separation, but am always reminded
of the poem “Footprints.” The lovely song “No more Nights”
and especially for me, God’s promise through the rainbow.
You are much loved, by all who read your words, and by your family and friends.
God keep you safe in the palm of His hands!
Dear Rosalind, what kind words and lovely encouragement, thank you so much, I really appreciate it. God bless.
Birgit, this is soooooo amazing! When Ray and I were praying about certain distressing issues, although not as serious as ill health, Ray got a little weary of me dragging my feet a bit. So he said, ‘ask God for a sign’. I said ‘A rainbow’. Less tahn 24 hours, with NO RAIN, there was a rainbow, and the next day and the next week and I’ve got photos of them all. ON one of our rainbow days, Ray shouted to me ‘Laura, come quickly’ I feared the worst, until I saw him pointing at the sky grinning from ear to ear!!’ How many more would you like before you believe?’ he said. ‘Ok Lord, I get it!’ I said humbly. God knows when we need those extra-ordinary signs and when we just need to walk by faith. I am soooo glad He showed M this sign and I pray she falls so in love with Him too! xx
Hi Laura, what a fantastic story! Thank you so much for sharing it. That really is a confirmation to you, it struck me as unusual to see one rainbow (I don’t remember seeing one for quite some time) and yet you have seen several :) I love how God answers us. God bless xo
mmm… beautiful.
A hopeful heart is rare and precious. Thank you for this image of God’s goodness.
I write in tears today, Birg…thanks for sharing.
Dwight